Time to Champion One Health: Three Current Events that Make the Case

Fall is once again upon us. It’s election season, respiratory virus season, hurricane season, and hunting season. This past month, the last two ‘seasons’ have really caught my attention and got me thinking about a topic that public health degree programs fall a bit short in teaching: One Health. The CDC defines one health as “an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.”

​It’s high time public health agencies started partnering more with animal health and environmental agencies, organizations, and groups to bring more attention and increase public knowledge about the connection between animal health, the environment, and human health. Here are three timely topics that can serve as examples to demonstrate this connection.

1. Chronic Wasting Disease

Whether you agree with it or not, hunting is a big deal for many people, no matter what part of the country you live in. It’s also how many people get their primary protein source(s) for the year. Think back to the beginning of the year when the "Zombie Deer Disease" was in the news. Zombie Deer Disease is really Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and it can affect more than just deer. CWD is a prion disease that affects cervids - deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Currently, there is no data that CWD spreads naturally to livestock (or pets, if you’re concerned about your hiking buddy). The more unfortunate news is that it is unknown whether or not humans can contract CWD. CWD is related to other prion diseases that are known to be zoonotic (able to spread to humans). In fact, the event that prompted Zombie Deer Disease headlines was the death of hunters in Texas who were suspected of eating deer with CWD. Those hunters died of a different prion disease, but it was unknown whether that prion disease was related to CWD or not. This case demonstrates the connection between animal health and human health. It presents an excellent opportunity for state and local fish and wildlife enforcement agencies and public health departments to team up to teach hunters about CWD and how to stay safe.

2. The Aftermath of Natural Disasters

My eyeballs have been glued to the Instagram pages of several western North Carolinians since Hurricane Helene hit the last week of September. In addition to heavy flooding, strong winds, and tornadoes, the hurricane caused an estimated 1,400 landslides and also damaged the state’s transportation infrastructure, including at least 6,000 miles of roads and more than 1,000 bridges. Storm-related deaths have now reached over 100. The storm ruined or contaminated many private wells, and public water and sewer systems were inaccessible. Hurricane Helene also resulted in the evacuation of 145 healthcare facilities and devastated agricultural operations, resulting in significant crop and trout farm losses. This hurricane underscores the critical interconnectedness between human health and the environment. The widespread damage to infrastructure, including water systems and agricultural lands, has created ideal conditions for waterborne diseases, foodborne illnesses, food insecurity, and wildfires. The stress and displacement caused by the disaster can also impact mental health and exacerbate chronic conditions, especially for people who cannot access care and treatment due to damaged roads.

3. The National I.V. Shortage

I’m including the national IV fluid shortage because it’s a direct consequence of Hurricane Helene. The company (Baxter), which provides around 60% of the I.V. fluids in the US, not to mention other types of fluids required in the medical field, ran a manufacturing facility in the picturesque mountains of Western North Carolina. Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in the area, and while the facility remained standing, all bridges and roads leading to the facility were washed out. The US has allowed the importation of IV fluids from other countries to bridge the gap while Baxter works to regain access to its flagship facility. An estimated 20% of healthcare professionals have reported postponing elective and other procedures due to the IV shortage. Climate change is expected to exacerbate three influences on flooding (contributing to more intense rainfall, drier soils, and less snow) and increase flood losses in North Carolina by 34% by 2050. This situation highlights how environmental disasters can cause disruptions in supply chains that are critical to protecting human health.

If public health and healthcare professionals find a way to connect with experts in animal, environmental, and climate health and truly embrace a One Health lens, then our communities benefit. They will benefit from understanding the link that connects their human well-being to the animals around them and the environment we all inhabit. They may also help advocate for better funding for the agencies that protect all of these components.

By: Melissa Goetz